Burlesque

Xtina may sing like a bird but she can't act for shit in this soupy Cabaret wannabe musical. Weak sauce. 2/5

Burlesque on Netflix

127 Hours

Franco NAILED this but Boyle never trusted him to carry the story. Too many distractions, not enough intensity. Shame. 3/5

EDITED TO ADD: First problem - I never once felt claustrophobic. I never felt trapped, unsafe, or fearful for Aron. Boyle took the viewer out of the horror of the situation with too damn many flashbacks, memories, dreams, hallucinations and the like. I never got to settle into Aron's fear or pain or doubt. With Franco acting as well as he was this was a HUGE mistake.

Second problem - why did Franco look perfectly groomed after 127 hours in a canyon? You mean to tell me Aron didn't grow facial hair, get dirty, ungroomed, or bloody? You can't tell me that because I've seen Aron's footage and he looked horrible. Why didn't Boyle think to incorporate this? That's just lazy.

Third problem - seriously... why not show us the arm? It's bad enough Boyle turned his lens from the cutting, but we never get to see the stump? Huh? Again, the movie loses its realism with decisions like this.

This would have been a vastly better movie is Boyle had studied why "Cast Away" worked so well and done that. This? Doesn't work. *sigh*

127 Hours on Netflix

Cries and Whispers

This astonishing Bergman classic is understated, subtle, poignant & beautiful with stellar acting. 4.5/5

Cries and Whispers on Netflix

Due Date

Wow this was bad. I mean really, really so not good. Why did RDJ take this role? I've no idea. Save yourselves - don't watch this. 1.5/5

Due Date on Netflix

Fish Tank

This is a surprising gem of an indie coming-of-age film - poignant, understated, dark & subtle. Well done. 4/5

Fish Tank on Netflix

Conviction

This is an utterly heartwarming story about a sister trying to exonerate her brother - moving & wonderfully acted. 4/5

Conviction on Netflix

9/11

Devastating to watch, powerful, tragic, moving, & totally heartfelt - these men are true heroes in every way. Amazing. 5/5

9/11 on Netflix

Everything Strange and New

Plodding, slow, mediocre acting, sloppy direction - this really could have been so much better. Sad. 2/5

Everything Strange and New on Netflix

Wild Strawberries

I didn't find this as profound as the Faith Trilogy but it was gorgeous & made me think. Very lovely. 3.5/5

Wild Strawberries on Netflix

Surrogates

This sci-fi thriller is a decent, interesting popcorn flick that had the promise of substance but never delivered. 3/5

Surrogates on Netflix

Trekkies 2

This sequel doesn't have the same charm & humor as the original but is still quite cool. Gabriel still rules though. ;) 3/5

Trekkies 2 on Netflix

'night Mother

Spacek & Bancroft are magnificent in this tragic film about suicidality. It grabs you & doesn't let go - dark. 3.5/5

'night Mother on Netflix

Stomp Live

HOLY F'N SHIT that was AWESOME! I've always wanted to see this show - it didn't disappoint! WOW! 5/5

Stomp Live on Netflix

The Next Three Days

Paul Haggis knocks this out of the park - fantastic writing, slick direction, great acting. Well done! 4.5/5

The Next Three Days on Netflix

Sling & Arrows Season 1

Wonderfully perfect Canadian series about people who love Shakespeare. Paul Gross is _so_ very good in this.

Whoops. Forgot the stars. Five stars. Six, even. I rank this up there with the UK Office, it's that good. And that was only season one!

More: Why isn't Paul Gross a bigger star? Seriously. He's so good in this it's ridiculous. It;s the kind of performance that could make you want to chuck your life and go try to be an actor just so maybe someday you get to be 1/5th as good in something.

Slings and Arrows Season One at Netflix

The Silence

Even Bergman's weakest of his faith trilogy is better than most's best. Strange, symbolic, & enlightening. 4.5/5

The Silence on Netflix

We Live In Public

Fascinating but weird documentary about the rise and fall of Internet pioneer Josh Harris - so strange! 3/5

We Live In Public on Netflix

The Waiting Room

This had some "Aw!" moments, but the relationships were convoluted & I couldn't seem to care about them. - 2.5/5

The Waiting Room on Netflix

Winter's Bone

This wonderful Southern noir film features a haunting performance by Jennifer Lawrence - simply stunning. 4.5/5

Winter's Bone on Netflix

The Accountant

Out of the 4 McKinnon/Goggins/Blount films, this is the funniest & sharpest - it deserved the Oscar. 4.5/5

The Accountant on Netflix

ADDED: In case anyone cares, the four collaborations McKinnon, Goggins & Blount have done are "The Accountant", "Chrystal", "Randy and the Mob", and "That Evening Sun". As a film, "That Evening Sun" is my favorite of the 4, but this is damn close & really biting. Good stuff.

Faster

This action flick has 3 things going for it - stellar acting, Mansell's great score & Tillman's outstanding direction. I'm honestly surprised as how much I liked this. Honestly... pretty damn good. 4/5

Faster on Netflix

Trapped

Solid acting across the board & an unpredictable script kept me interested & guessing in this twisty thriller. 3.5/5

Trapped on Netflix

On The Waterfront

Brando was magnificent, everyone else not so much. This was too hamfisted for me - it needed more subtlety. 3.5/5

On The Waterfront on Netflix

The Yellow Handkerchief

Finely acted, this romantic drama has a fetching plot that's interesting despite being predictable. 3.5/5

The Yellow Handkerchief on Netflix

Winter Light

So perfect a portrait of bleakness & isolation was never so passionately & profoundly made. Utterly amazing. Honestly... what can one say about Bergman save for praise? This is masterful film-making & it hits you right in the soul. Wow. 5/5

Winter Light on Netflix

Salt

Yes, it's a decent popcorn flick but I've certainly seen better and it's entirely too predictable. Okay, but barely. 2.5/5

Salt on Netflix

Randy and the Mob

This quirky, funny movie has great acting by McKinnon & Goggins but never rises above just average. 3/5

Randy and the Mob on Netflix

Open Your Eyes

While the 2 films are eerily similar, "Vanilla Sky"'s superior acting & direction beats this Spanish original. 3.5/5

Open Your Eyes on Netflix

Women Without Men

Magical realism at its best, this hallucinogenic film is tragic, powerful, & profound. Darkly beautiful. 4/5

Women Without Men on Netflix

Never Let Me Go

Perhaps the most un-science fiction science fiction movie ever, this perfectly casted and haunting drama perfectly captured the book. 4/5

Never Let Me Go on Netflix

61*

Billy's Crystal's film about the '61 home run chase was lovingly filmed & written - very heartfelt & charming. Well done. 4/5

61* on Netflix